Basilique Notre-Dame de Pontmain, Minor basilica in Pontmain, France
The Basilica Notre-Dame de Pontmain is a minor basilica in this Breton village, built from granite in neo-Gothic style with two prominent towers. Large stained glass windows cover much of its upper structure, and the towers contain 39 bells.
Construction started in 1873 following a reported apparition of Mary in 1871, and the building was consecrated in 1900. The site became established as a place of pilgrimage after these events.
Ten substantial stained glass windows inside the basilica narrate Marian apparitions and scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
Visitors can enter and walk through the interior at their own pace to see the architecture and windows up close. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends, which see more pilgrims visiting the site.
The building was constructed on swampland, so engineers designed it with stone primarily on the lower levels and extensive glass above to reduce weight. This clever engineering allowed a grand structure to stand on difficult ground.
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